Melody for Two by Ned Martin contains a blend of realist and abstract--touching on pop art, in this portrait of one hand holding onto an arm, amid a sea of liquid, pastel-colored, geometric shapes. Whether the picture is of one person holding another’s arm, or one’s
own arm, is ambiguous. A Valentine’s Day candy lies in pieces, reading “fired up.”
Located in Brooklyn, NY Ned Martin is inspired by hectic city life. His work touches on the subjects of nature and community, which are drawn from his childhood memories of rural Pennsylvania and Northern Maryland. Martin’s work is a commentary on our global society, and the idea that everything is connected as one.
After studying Fine Arts at Towson State University in Maryland, Martin continued his formal art training at the Schuler School of Fine Arts in Baltimore. Embracing his training and his meticulous process, Martin continues to grind his own paints. He has painted en plein air on the River Seine in Paris, Scotland, and the vineyards of Italy, all of which have shaped his artistic vision.
Reclaimed aluminum printing plates have become Martin’s sole painting surface. He often leaves a bit of aluminum plate visible through the painted surface to enhance the depth of the work. “The imagery of the used printing plates is part of my expression—current social commentary that becomes embedded in the art forever,” Martin explains.